Cable reel



Jan. l0, 1950 F. R. scHAEr-'ER ETAL CABLE REEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledSept. l5, 1945 HP' DER/af 1?. scf/Anm ci RAY VV. [MERY A T 70E/VE YSjam. E0, H95@ F. R, SCHAEFER ET AL 2,4

CABLE REEL Filed Sept. l5, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y FAV W EME/EY Zwg 5Sheets-Sheet 5 CABLE REEL F. R. SCHAEFER ET AL Jam@ 395@ Filed sept. 15,1945 SNE/qu Patented Jan. 10, 1950 ennui REEL Frederick R. Schaefer,Youngstown, and Ray W. Emery, Wai-rem' Ohio, assignors to Republic SteelCorporation, Cleveland, hio, a corporation of New Jersey ApplicationSeptember 15, 1945, Serial No. 616,498

1o claims.

The present invention relates generally to the reel art and particularlyto new reels for cable and the like and to new lagging for such reels.

Reels embodying the present invention comprise a small number 0finexpensive parts or as- 'semblies including a hub and ends. The ends:comprise sheet metal assemlbies which are secured to the hub and maycarry bushings or be attached to an inner hub. The peripheral portionsof the ends are of reinforced construction and are adapted to fitlagging which may be connected thereto. Reels of this invention may belight in weight and yet strong enough for initial loading and forhandling and shipping while loaded and may be so low in cost andassembled that they may be economically scrapped after their initialload is removed. They may also be heavier and stronger and suitable forrepeated loading, handling and shipping.

The present invention will be better understood by those skilled in theart from the following description and from the drawings which form apart of the specification and in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary endview, partly in section, of one form of apparatus embodying the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken on line ll-lof Fig. 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary end View, partly in section, of a modifiedform of apparatus embodying the present invention;

Figs. 6 and '7 are sectional views taken on line tand l-'i of Fig. 5.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary end elevational view of yanother modified formof apparatus embodying the present invention;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line Sii- 9 of Fig. 8;

Figure 10 is'an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on lineit-illof Fig. 11 showing a modified form of means for connecting the drum andreel end of Fig. 8; and

Figure 11 is an end elevational view showing 'the connection of Fig. 10.

f The reel shown in Figs. 1 to 4 comprises an inner hub, an outer huband two end assemblies or yuntis. The inner hub i is -a cylindrical tubewith ends 2 which are dared outwardly daring assemv bly with the endassemblies or units. It is surrounded by a sheet metal shell 3 which, ateach end, abuts the end assemblies and acts as an axial stop and spacertherefor. The outer hub d, on which cable or the like is to be Wound, isla sheet metal cylinder of considerably larger diameter than the innerhub l. The ends of hub 4 are recessed to provide projections 5 which aresecured, as by welding, to the end assemblies and serve, together withthe ared ends of hub l, to hold the end units in place relative to thehubs.

Each end unit or assembly includes an inner, metal ring I ll, anannular, metal, reinforcing angle il, a segmental, metal disc l2, andgussets i3. The ring lil seats at its inner periphery on the outersurface of outer drum i and at its outer periphery is bent to form anaxially extending flange l i which, during assembly, is provided with aninturned flange l. The angle Il bears against and is secured to theinner surfaces of ring i@ and its ange it.

The segmental disc I2 consists of a plurality of sector shaped units orsegments ZIJ. Each unit 2@ is preferably formed from sheet metal andincludes a at face portion having Iperipheral flanges and a radiallyextending depression 2i.

The outer peripheral ange 22 of unit 20 is shaped by being curved tonest within the flanges it and i5 of ring lil and to bear on ring It.The peripheral fianges 23 along the sides of unit 20, that is, alongradii of the end units, extend to and bear against the opposed surfaceof ring it for part of their lengths. These flanges are of greater axialextent within outer drum i and bear against the inner surface of thatdrum, as is indicated at 2d. Each flange 23 is provided with tabs 25which extend laterally therefrom and project thru notches in the flangesof adjacent segments 2li. The inner peripheral flange 26 of each segmentseats on the outer surface of inner hub l land :bears endwise againstshell 3 on that hub. As will be noted from Figs. 2 and 3, the depressedportion 2i of segment 2U bears against the opposed surface of ring llland has openings 2 therethru in line with the projections 5 of outerdrum t.

A gusset i3 is associated with each segmental disc i2. Each gussetincludes an outer flange t@ which bears against, and is preferablywelded to, the inner surface of the peripheral ange 22, an inner ange 3|which bears against, and is preferably welded to, the inner surface ofthe fiat portion of segment 20 and an angularly extending part 32connecting flanges 30 and 3 l.

The apparatus of Figs. 1 to 4 may be assembled as follows:

Reinforcing angle l I is placed in ring l0 and is attached thereto, as

by being welded to the ring .s l 3 and to its flange I4. The guSsets Ilare placed in their segmental discs I2 and are attached thereto, as bywelding flanges and 3l thereto. Then the several thus assembledsegmental units are placed on ring Il and are attached thereto, as bywelding tabs 25 to ring I0, and flange I4 is shaped at its edge to formflange I5 which grips the segments at their outer edges. One end ofinner hubk I is fitted into one end assembly and is deformed as at 2, togrip the outer side of the assembly. Shell 3 is slid onto hub I to abutthat end assembly. The projections 5 of outer hub I are inserted thruopenings 21 in the end assembly and are bent over to clamp the assemblyagainst the drum. Then the other end assem-bly is secured in place atthe opposite ends of hubs I and 4 in asimilar manner. i

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Tigs. 5 to 'lgenerally resembles that of Figs. 1 to 4, but certain elements of thatmodification have been omitted and others altered. The reel of Figs. 5to 6 comprises a hub 40 of large diameter and end assemblies attached'thereto. Each assembly comprises an inner ring 4I which, at its innerperiphery, seats 'on the outer surface of drum 40 and, at its outerperiphery; has an axially extending flange 42 and an inturned flange 43.Each segment 44 is formed' from a at metal plate having aradially'extending depression 45 and marginal flanges 46, 48

and 50. The outer peripheral flange 46 is of such a size as to bereceived in the channel rim of ring 4I. that is, Within flanges 421 and43 and, if desired, a reinforcing angle may lie between flanges 46 and42, substantially as shown in Figs. l to 4. The side flanges 48 ofsegments 44 extend toward and engage the surface of ring 4I. Flanges 48within drum 40 are of slightly greater'axial length than the partsthereof opposed to ring 4I and bear radially against the inner surface.of drum 40, as is indicated at 49.A The inner peripheral flanges 50 ofthe several segments of an end assembly define an opening 5l in which aflanged bushing 52 may be secured. The side flanges 48 are provided withtabs 53 which project thru notches in the opposed flanges of adjacentsegments and are welded to those adjacent segments, as by means of anelectrode or welding rod inserted thru openings 54 in the segment abovethe tabs. The depressed portions 45 of segment 44 lie against theopposed surface of ring 4I.

The ends of the drum 40 have projections 55. When the end assemblies areto be assembled with drum 40 the projections 55 of the drum are passedthru opening 60 of the end assembly and rings 4I are seated on drum 40with the enlargementsof flanges 48 bearing against the inner surfaceofthe drum. Wedges 56 are inserted thru openings in projections anddriven into place to connect the end assembly to the drum.

It will be understood from the drawings and the foregoing descriptionthereof that the illustrated reels are light, strong and quitesubstantial altho composed of parts which in themselves are notparticularly strong. The drum on which cable or the like is wound isadequately supported at its ends both on its inner and outer surfaces bythe flanges of the disc segments and by the inner rings. The endassemblies are substantial althocomposed of a plurality of parts. kThesegments have a considerabledegree of rigidity because of their flangesand such rigidity is increased by the ring and its channel-shaped outerperiphery. The parts of the end assemblies are 4 Y attached together bywelding and by being interfltted with one another. When the reelincludes an inner hub it also adds materially to the strength andrigidity of the reel and when gussets are used they additionally supportthe periphery of the end assemblies. Similarly, the reinforcing anglesadd rigidity to the peripheries of the end assemblies.

In the modifications shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the hub consists of twosemi-circular parts having radial inturned flanges BI which areconnected by bolts 92. The in turned ends 93 of thehub are connected bybolts 94 to ends 95. Rivets or other suitable connecting means may besubstituted for bolts 92 and 94 if desired. Also hub 90 may be made of asingle piece of metal, or it may consist of three or more parts insteadof the two parts shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Each end 95 consists of a plurality of sectorshaped, sheet metal units,in this case four. These units have outwardly projecting, marginalflanges 96, the radial portions of which lie against each other and areconnected together by bolts 91. The inner or opposed plane surfaces ofends 95 bear against flanges 93 of the hub. The flanges 95 at the innerextremities of the segments of each end 85 define an opening in which aflanged bushing 98 is located. Each sleeve has flanges at each end tobear against the inner surface of the segments and the outer surface offlanges S5.

The reel of Figs. 3 and 9 is inexpensive and may be disassembled forreturn shipment. It may be made strong enough for repeated use or onlystrong enough for one use. The flanges 95 and the recessing of ends 95to receive hub 90 afford marked strength and rigidity even when themetal used is of light gage. It provides smooth surfaces for contactwith a coil on the hub.

Figs. 10 and 1l show hub and end securing means alternative to those ofFigs. 8 and 9. In this case the hub |00 is a cylinder which seats in adepression IIlI in the ends |02 and has spaced projections |03 extendingthru ends |02 and held in place by wedges |04 extending thru theprojections and bearing against the segments.

Having thus described the invention so that others skilled in the artmay be able to understand and practice the same, we state that what wedesire to secure by Letters Patent is defined in what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A metal reel comprising a cylindrical hub, and end assemblies securedto the ends of said hub, each end assembly comprising a one-piece sheetmetal ring having a ange at its outer periphery and a disk includingsector-shaped segments consisting of sheet metal having plane surfaceportions, outer and inner arcuate marginal flanges and radial flanges onsaid segments, the outer arcuate flanges nesting in the flanges of saidring, and means connecting together the radial portions of said flanges.

2. A metal reel comprising a cylindrical hub, and end assemblies securedto the ends of said hub, each end assembly comprising a one-piece sheetmetal ring having a flange at its outer periphery and a disk includingsector-shaped segments consisting of sheet metal and having planesurface portions, outer and inner arcuate marinal flanges and radialflanges on said segments, the outer arcuate flanges nesting in theflanges of said ring, means connecting together the radial portions ofsaid flanges, and tubular means concentric with said ends and projectingtherethrough about their axes,

3. A metal reel comprising end assemblies and a hub bearing against saidassemblies and having end projections extending thru said assemblies,each end assembly including a flat sheet metal ring having an outerperipheral flange and a disk consisting of a plurality of sector-shapedunits, each of said units having a plane surface portion with a centraldepressed portion engaging said ring, an outer curved flange Within theflange of said ring, and side flanges engaging the opposed surface ofsaid ring and the inner and outer surfaces of said hub.

4. A strong, light weight, metal reel comprising end assemblies and ahub bearing against said assemblies and having projections extendingthru said assemblies, each end assembly including a fiat sheet metalring having an outer peripheral flange, an annular reinforcing anglebearing against the ring and the inner surface of said flange, and adisk consisting of a plurality of sector shaped units, each of saidunits having a plane surface portion with a central depressed portionengaging said ring, an outer curved ange within the flange of said ringand bearing on the inner surface of said angle, and side flangesengaging the opposed surface of said ring and the inner and outersurfaces of said hub.

5. A strong, light weight, metal reel comprising end assemblies, eachincluding a flat sheet metal ring having an outer peripheral ange and adisk consisting of a plurality of sector shaped units, each of saidunits having a plane surface portion with a central depressed portionengaging said ring, an outer curved flange within the ange of said ring,and side anges engaging the opposed surface of said ring, and a hubbearing at its ends against the rings of said end assemblies and havingprojections extending thru said rings and said depressed portions ofsaid units for securing the end assemblies to the hub.

6. A strong, light weight, metal reel comprising end assemblies, eachincluding a at sheet metal ring having an outer peripheral flange and adisk including a plurality of sector shaped units, each of said unitshaving a plane surface portion with a central depressed portion engagingsaid ring, an outer curved flange within the ange of said ring, and sideanges engaging the opposed surface of said ring, and a hub bearing atits ends against the rings of said end assemblies and having projectionsextending thru said rings and said depressed portions of said units forsecuring the end assemblies to the hub, said side anges of said unitsbearing against the inner and outer surfaces of said hub.

'1. A strong, light weight, metal reel comprising end assemblies, eachincluding a at sheet metal ring having an outer peripheral ange and adisk including a plurality of' sector shaped units, each of said unitshaving a plane surface portion with a central depressed portion engagingsaid ring, an outer curved flange within the flange of said ring, andside anges engaging vthe opposed surface of said ring and having tabsextending along said ringV and secured thereto beneath adjacent units,and a hub bearing at its ends against the rings of said end assembliesand on its inner and outer surfaces against said side iianges and havingend projections extending thru said end assemblies for attaching them tothe hub.

8. A strong, light weight, metal reel comprising end assemblies, eachincluding a flat sheet metal ring having an outer peripheral flange anda disk including a plurality of sector shaped units. each of said unitshaving a plane surface portion with a central depressed portion engagingsaid ring, an outer curved ange within the flange of said ring, sideflanges engaging the opposed surface of said ring and having tabsextending along said ring and secured thereto beneath adjacentl units,and a gusset secured to the inner surface of each curved outer flange,and a hub bearing at its ends against the rings of said end assembliesand on its inner and outer surfaces against said side flanges and havingend projections extending thru said end assemblies for attaching them tothe hub.

9. A strong, light weight, metal reel comprising end assemblies, eachincluding a flat sheet metal ring having an outer peripheral flange anda disk including a plurality of sector shaped units, each of said unitshaving a plane surface portion with a central depressed portion engagingsaid ring, an outer curved flange within the flange of said ring, sideflanges engaging the opposed surface of said ring, and an inner curvedflange,

said inner flanges of the assembled units dening a cylindrical opening,an inner hub in the said cylindrical openings of the end assemblies, ashell on said hub abutting said assemblies, and an outer hub secured tosaid assemblies and engaging said assemblies at its ends with its outerand inner surfaces radially bearing on said ring and on said sideiianges, respectively.

10. A metal reel comprising a hub having end projections and hollow endassemblies attached to the hub, each end assembly including a fiat sheetmetal ring having its inner peripheral edge resting on said hub andhaving an outer peripheral flange and a disk including a plurality ofsector shaped units, each of said units having a plane surface portionspaced apart from said ring and provided with a centrally disposeddepressed portion engaging said ring, and provided with openings toreceive the end projections of the hub, an outer curved flange withinthe flange of said ring, and side flanges engaging the opposed surfaceof said ring and the inner and outer surfaces of said hub, said endprojections when positioned in the openings in the depressed portions ofsaid units serving to secure the end assemblies and hub in assembledposition.

FREDERICK R. SCHAEF'ER. RAY W. EMERY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Cleminons Apr. 26, i938

